Are you
traveling to
Nepal and curious about what to eat there? Nepalese cuisine bears a lot of Indian and Tibetan influences but has its own distinctive dishes. Below are some of the famous foods in Nepal that you should definitely try.
Dal Bhat
Dal Bhat is probably the most famous food in Nepal, it is such a staple for locals you could even call it Nepal’s national food. If you are going trekking, expect to be served traditional dal bhat at every homestay at least twice a day.
Dal Bhat Tarkari means lentil soup (dal), rice (bhat) and curried vegetables (tarkari). The set is usually served on a metal platter and is “all you can eat”. It is traditionally vegetarian but occasionally you might find it served with chicken or meat.
Momo
The quintessential Nepali food, be it in the home of a local or on the streets of
Kathmandu, this is one dish you absolutely cannot leave Kathmandu without trying. To the untrained eye and palette, it could be confused for
Chinese dumplings but it is anything but, the spices used in the filling plus the chutney (dip) takes the momo to a whole new level.
Thukpa
Thukpa is a noodle soup that originated in the eastern part of
Tibet. It consists of boiled, hand-pulled noodles, vegetables and meat, normally shredded buffalo.
The punchy Nepalese variation features garam masala and chili.
Chatamari
Locals will often refer to dish as the Nepali pizza but it could well be labelled a taco given that Chatamaris are generally folded and served with fillings. However, what sets the Chatamari apart from pizzas and tacos are the distinct Nepali spices used and the crepe which is made using rice flour. The best Chatamaris are served in ‘Newari Khaja Ghars’ and you will find many of between New Road and Thamel.
Sel Roti
Kind of like a doughnut meets bagel, sel rote is a crisp, puffy dough that is been deep fried. You will find this street stall snack along roadsides and during Hindu festivals like Tihar and Dashain. They are best eaten as a breakfast snack with yogurt, or as an afternoon snack with some veggies.
Tingmo and Aloo phing
The influx of Tibetan refugees to
Nepal since the exile of the Dalai Lama in 1959 has also brought an influx of Tibetan foods, like this dish.
Tingmo is a steamed, porous bread, designed for dipping into soups and broths. Aloo phing consists of translucent noodles, potatoes and vegetables in a hot broth. Sliced radish and rice are served on the side.
Julebi
This neon snack looks like an orange lattice swirl. It is made from a dough batter drizzled to form a circular shape, then dunked in some sweet sauce. The color was a little intimidating but it tastes very similar to a funnel cake. It is very sweet.
Read more:
Cultural destinations in Kathmandu, Nepal
Yomari
These cute fish-shaped treats are steamed rice-flour dumplings containing sweet fillings such as chaku and chocolate. They are normally served with a sweet dip. A popular festive dish, yomari are often eaten around the post-harvest celebration of Yomari Punhi. But you can enjoy them anytime.
Source Internet
